NOF Energy, the business support organisation for oil, gas, nuclear and offshore renewables, has recognised the stars of the industry at its annual awards dinner.

Hosted by BBC presenter, Wendy Gibson, the sell-out event at the Hardwick Hall Hotel in Sedgefield, celebrated the energy sectors’ success stories and rewarded a number of achievements at both company and individual level. The headline sponsors were Wilton Group, MTE and Ward Hadaway.

The Company of the Year Award was won by Phusion, formerly known as Pearson Harper, a Billingham based company that provides engineering information management services, consultancy and hosted software solutions.

OSBIT Power, a Northumberland based company that provides innovative engineering solutions in offshore markets, collected the Innovation and Technology Award.

Judges acknowledged that OSBIT had researched the market to identify an innovation opportunity, had developed a robust solution to a real industry problem and had overcome significant problems during the development process.

The celebrations continued with Phusion also winning the International Business Award for delivering significant growth in exports. Over the past five years, Phusion has trebled its staff worldwide and now receives 80% of its revenues from its work internationally.

MD Alex Hayward said: “It is a special honour to be named Company of the Year. It reflects the skills and innovations we have developed, together with the hard work and commitment of our dedicated team.”

James Watmore of Darchem Engineering, an award-winning engineering company based at Stillington, Stockton, won the award for the Best New Talent.

James, who completed an Advanced Apprenticeship and trained as a welder/fabricator at South West Durham, had already gained national recognition in the sector as Nuclear Apprentice and Supply Chain Apprentice of the Year.

He said: “Working with such a motivated and dedicated team has really helped me enhance my skills and take my career forward.”

George Rafferty, Chief Executive of NOF Energy, said: “The energy sector supply chain is a jewel in the crown of British industry and the UK economy.